Postdoctoral Researcher – CECAD Postdoc Academy for Aging Trajectories – University of Cologne – Germany

Summary

The University of Cologne is offering up to four full-time Postdoctoral Researcher positions within the CECAD Postdoc Academy for Aging Trajectories. Located in Cologne, Germany, these three-year fixed-term positions are scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027. Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant field of life sciences awarded on or after January 1, 2023. The position offers a public sector salary under grade TV-L 13, alongside research bench fees of up to €20,000 annually. Successful candidates will develop independent research projects under the mentorship of two CECAD Principal Investigators. The application deadline for these positions is October 24, 2026.

Key Facts

Department	CECAD Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Position Type	Postdoc
Discipline	Life Sciences
Research Area	Aging Research
Degree Required	PhD
Experience	PhD awarded no more than four years before the start of the position (awarded on or after 1 January 2023).
Salary	TV-L 13
Funding	Bench fees up to €20,000 per year for research materials and supplies
Contract Duration	3 years
Language	English
Deadline	2026-10-24
Required Documents	Research Project Proposal, Description of Previous Research Activities and Achievements, Letter of Motivation, Curriculum Vitae
Employer Address	Cologne, Germany

About the Project

The research focuses on key aspects of aging trajectories and aging processes. Candidates are required to design, develop, and execute independent, innovative research projects that align with CECAD's research areas, such as cellular/molecular mechanisms, organismal aging, age-related pathologies, systems biology, or translational aging research.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct independent research projects on aging trajectories.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present at conferences.
• Work under the mentorship of two CECAD Principal Investigators.
• Participate actively in CECAD's collaborative research environment and seminars.
• Utilize and responsibly manage scientific infrastructure, equipment, and research budgets.
• Prepare competitive external funding applications to support future research independence.

Required Skills

• PhD degree in life sciences awarded on or after January 1, 2023.
• Strong scientific track record in aging or life science research.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary environments.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.

Who Should Apply

Outstanding early-career researchers who hold a PhD in life sciences (awarded between January 1, 2023, and the start of the position) with a strong motivation for interdisciplinary aging research, demonstrated research excellence, independent research capabilities, and fluent English communication skills.

Benefits

• 3-year postdoctoral contract at CECAD Cluster of Excellence.
• Coverage of bench fees up to €20,000 per year for research supplies.
• Mentorship from two CECAD Principal Investigators.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities, libraries, and computing resources.
• Compensation according to the TV-L 13 public sector pay scale.
• Comprehensive social insurance coverage and family-friendly support.

About the Employer

The University of Cologne is one of Europe's largest and oldest universities, offering a broad range of academic subjects and research opportunities in Cologne, Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is October 24, 2026.

What is the contract duration and start date?

The position is a 3-year fixed-term contract starting on January 1, 2027.

What is the salary grade for this position?

The position is paid according to the German public sector pay scale grade TV-L 13.

Are there specific PhD award date requirements?

Yes, the applicant's PhD must have been awarded no more than four years prior to the start date, on or after January 1, 2023.

Is research funding provided?

Yes, the position offers coverage of bench fees up to €20,000 per year for research materials and supplies.